1.

5 Mathematical Proofs (Page 13)

• A proof is a logical and structured argument to show that a
mathematical statement is true.
• A mathematical proof usually starts with previously established
mathematical facts and then works through a series of logical steps.
• A mathematical statement can be proved by deduction.

Example 14 (Page 15)

Given: 𝑘𝑥 2 + 3𝑘𝑥 + 2 = 0 has no real roots.
8
To prove: 0 ≤ 𝑘 <
9

Since 𝑘𝑥 2 + 3𝑘𝑥 + 2 = 0 has no real roots,

(3𝑘)2 − 4 × 𝑘 × 2 < 0.
9𝑘 2 − 8𝑘 < 0
𝑘(9𝑘 − 8) < 0
8
When 𝑘 (9𝑘 − 8) = 0, we get 𝑘 = 0 or 𝑘 =
9

8
⸫0<𝑘<
9
When 𝑘 = 0, we see that
0 𝑥2 + 3 × 𝑘 × 0 + 2 = 0
2=0
It is impossible.
8
⸫ The equation has no real roots when 0 ≤ 𝑘 < .
9

Exercise 1E (Page 16)

No. 1 (Page 16)

Given: n is an integer.
To prove: 𝑛2 − 𝑛 is an even number.
𝑛2 − 𝑛 = 𝑛(𝑛 − 1)
If n is odd, then (𝑛 − 1) is even.
⸫ 𝑛(𝑛 − 1) is even.
If n is even, then (𝑛 − 1) is odd.
⸫ 𝑛(𝑛 − 1) is even.
Therefore 𝑛2 − 𝑛 is an even number for all integers n.

No. 9 (Page 16)

To prove: 3𝑛2 − 4𝑛 + 10 is positive.
1
3𝑛2 − 4𝑛 + 10 = (9𝑛2 − 12𝑛 + 30)
3
1
= (9𝑛2 − 2 × 3𝑛 × 2 + 4 + 26)
3
 1
= ((3𝑛 − 2)2 + 26) > 0
3

Therefore 3𝑛2 − 4𝑛 + 10 is positive for all values of n.

No. 13 (Page 16)

Given: 𝑝𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 6 = 0 has two distinct real roots.
25
To prove: 𝑝 > −
24

Since 𝑝𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 6 = 0 has two distinct real roots,

(−5)2 − 4 × 𝑝 × (− 6) > 0
25 + 24𝑝 > 0
25
⸫𝑝>−
24

No. 18 (Page 17)

Given: Circle with equation (𝑥 − 1)2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑘
Line L with equation 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥
L cuts the circle at two distinct points.
𝑎2
To prove: 𝑘 >
1 + 𝑎2

(𝑥 − 1)2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑘 --------- (1)

𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 --------- (2)
Substituting (2) into (1),
(𝑥 − 1)2 + (𝑎𝑥)2 = 𝑘
(1 + 𝑎2 ) 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + (1 − 𝑘) = 0
Since the line L cuts the circle at two distinct points, the equation has two
distinct real roots.
(−2)2 − 4 × (1 + 𝑎2 ) × (1 − 𝑘) > 0
4 − 4 − 4𝑎2 + 4𝑘 + 4𝑎2 𝑘 > 0
4(1 + 𝑎2 )𝑘 > 4𝑎2
𝑎2
⸫ 𝑘>
1 + 𝑎2